Connecter for wrist-watch straps, bands, bracelets, and linkages



y 12, 1932. c. H. KESTENMAN 1,867,01

CONNECTER FOR WRIST WATCH STRAPS, BANDS, BRACELETS, AND LINKAGES Filed Sept. 10, 1931 bracelet to adapt it Patented July l2, 1932 STATES PATENT OFFIC CHARLES H. KESTENMAN, OF PROVIDENCE,

BROS. MFG. 00., OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO IKE ST ISLAND, A. CORPORATION OF RHOIDE CONNECTER FOR, WRIST-WATCH STRAPS, BANDS, BRACELETS, AND LINKAGES Application filed September 10, 1931. Serial No. 562,054.

' vide detent-means on the parts of the fastening-device for maintaining them in closed or clasped relationship with the open end of the end-link held therewithin, whereby to guard against accidental unfastening and removal of the bracelet from the wrist.

Another object of the invention is to provide a connecter of the type specified having an end-link which may be constructed to conform to the shape or contour of the bracelet in which it is incorporated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type specified having an end-link with hinged sides adapted to be opened out to provide greater convenience is applying it to or removing it from the end-loop of the watch.

Another object of the invention is toprovide an end-link of the type specified which may be constructed of bendable material such as wire-mesh or leather to adapt it to be extended or opened out so that it maybe inserted through relatively wide endloops on the watch.

Another ob ect of the improvement is to' provide a simple and compact connector of the type specified composed of a minimum number of parts adapted for economical manufacture from sheet-metal stampings or other stock material andwhich may be assembled by a simple operation without requiring skill or expertness' on the part of the workman.

Another object of thevimprovement is to i provide a connector of the type specified which may be suitably embossed, engraved orotherwise embellished on its outer faces to add to the appearance of the bracelet in which it is incorporated.

Further objects of the improvement are set forth in the following specification which describes several preferred forms of con struction of the invention, by way of example, as illustrated by the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing Fig. 1 is a front view of a conventional type of wrist-watch shown with the ends of a bracelet connected thereto by means of the present improved connector or attachingdevice;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged rear View of the same I illustrating one of the clasping-devices closed or locked'to fasten one end of the bracelet to the watch, while the other is shown in open position to permit removal of the end connecting-link therefrom;

Fig. '3 is an enlarged rear view of one end of the wrist-watch illustrating the meth-' d of applying one of the bracelet ends thereto and removing it therefrom;

Fig. 4 is an edge view of the watch and bracelet showing the open end of the endlink positioned within the fastening-deviceready to be clasped to the latter; 'Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the fas tener in closed or clasped relationship to secure the open end of the end-link therein;

Fig. 6.is an enlarged composite perspective view of the parts of the fastener shown in disassembled relationship; I

Fig. 7 is an enlarged plan view of a modified form of end-link showing its sides'as hinged together to adapt them to be opened out- Fig. 8 is an enlarged plan View of a further modified form of end-link which is similar to that shown in Fig. 7 comprising two semi-circular elements hinged together at their ends; and

Fig. 9 is an enlarged plan view of still another form of end-link showing it as constructed of wire-mesh or similar flexible material and illustrating the method of applying it to the relatively wide end-loops of the wrist-watch.

The present improved connector or attaching-device comprises, in general, a substantially horseshoe-shaped connecting-link adapted for engagement with the end-loop of a wrist-watch, and a fastening-device arranged at the end of the bracelet for securing the open end of the end-link thereto. The fastening-device may comprise a basemember and a topor closure-member hinged thereto at one end to adapt the parts to be lo closed into clasped relationship to secure the 20 of the bracelet sections may be secured by means of the present improved attaching means. The bracelet may be constructed of flexible links such as shown in F igs; 1 to 5 and fully disclosed in my pending application I 25 for United States Letters Patent, Serial No.

555,002, filed August 4, 1931. In other cases the connecter may be used with a bracelet composed of loops of cord or wire-mesh as shown in Fig. 9, or any other suitable mate- 3o. rial may be used in the construction of the band or bracelet. The present invention is therefore" not limited to any precise method of application to use.

The two bracelet sections 5 are usually se- 35 of a suitable extension-device, not shown, which may be folded into clasped relationshi in applying the bracelet to the wrist and opened out to permit removal of the bracelet therefrom.

The present improved connecter or attaching-device comprises, essentially, a connecting-link of substantially horseshoe shape. The sides of the link 10 are inclined toward each other at their free ends and their terminal portions bent inwardly to form hooks or abutments 11. A space 12 is left between the books 11 of sufiicient width to adapt the open end of the link 10 to be inserted through the end-loop of the wristwatch, see Fig. 3. The sides of the connecting-link 10. are reduced in thickness at 13 to form an opening serving a purpose as later explained.

It has been explained that the open end of the connecting-link 10 is detachably secured to the end of the bracelet section by means of a fastening-device. The fastening-device,

indicated generally by the reference charac 33 ter 15, comprises a base-member 16 and a claspingor closure-member 25 shown in detail in Fig. 6. The member 16 is constituted by a relatively wide flat base 17 which is narrowed in an extension at one end. The narrowedextension of the base 17 is provided cured about the wrist of the wearer by means with tabs at its sideswhich are bent upwardly to form opposite bearing-ears 18. The bearing-ears 18 are provided with circular holes for receiving a hinge-pin 19 on which the closure-member 25 is pivoted in the manner as later explained.

The wider portion 17 of the base 16 of the fastening-device is also provided with lateral extensions bent at right-angles to the base to form side-flanges 20. The-flanges 20 are rounded off at their corners and at one end their edges are formed with notches 21 which cooperate with detent-projections 29 on the closure-member 25 to claspthe two parts together in the manner as later more fully explained. To secure the member16 to the end of the bracelet the end of the latter is placed between the side-flanges 20 and soldered or otherwise permanently joined thereto.

The claspi'ng-member 25 is constituted by a flat sheet-metal plate which is formed with a narrowed neck curled around to provide a hinge or hearing 26 adapted to be positioned between the hingerears 18 on the base-member 16 to pivot on the pin 19 extending therebetween. The hinge-pin 19 is inserted through the cars 18 and bearing 26 and riveted over at its ends to hold it in place.

The opposite end of the member 25 is provided with a pair of fingers 28 bent down from the sides thereof at right-angles to its plate portion, see Fig. 6. The fingers 28 are rounded at their ends and their edges formed with detent-projections 29 adapted to snap into the detent-notches 21 on the member 16 as the two parts are closed together in clasped relationship in the manner as clearly illustrated in Fig. 5. To facilitate the manual operation of unclasping the device, a lip or projection 30 is formed on the free end of the member 25 to permit the insertion of the fingernail thereunder for lifting the clasping-member to disengage the detent-means.

The end-loops of wrist watches vary somewhat in shape and size in accordance with the design of the watch case and to adapt the present improved connecter for use with various styles, end-links of difi'erent shapes may be employed. The type of end-link illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 is for use with watches having narrow end-loops of relatively thin cross-section. With other types of watches the loops 3 may be of much thicker section to permit embossing or engraving their outer surfaces. With this latter form of watch loop the opening 12 in the end-link 10 is insufiicient to permit the link to be slid through the loop. Therefore, to render the present device adaptable for use with watches having connecting-loops of difi'erent sizes, end-links of the types shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9 may be employed. Referring to Fig. 7, which shows an end-link 31 similar in shape to that shown in the preceding views, the sides 32 of the link are hinged together at 33 to adapt them to be opened out in the manner indicated by dashlines in this view to provide a wider opening between the legs or sides of the link. With this latter form of construction one of the sides or legs of the link is slid through the end-loop of the watch and then returned to the position illustrated by full lines in Fig.

7 to be secured to the fastening-device in the.

manner as later explained.

Fig. 8 shows an end-link 35 similar in construction to that illustrated in Fig. 7, but having its sides 36 of substantially semi-circular outline and hingedtogether at 37 to adapt them to be swung apart for the purpose previously explained. The free ends of the sides 36 of the link are formed with notches 38 adapted to engage around the edges of the side-flanges 20 on the member 16 to hold the sides of the link in closed re lationship. A pair of openingsv 39 formed on the inner sides of the legs or sides 36 of the link 35 provide a clearance for the hinge-ears 18 on the member 16.

Fig. 9 illustrates a further modified form of end-link 40 constructed from a suitable length of reticulated fabric such as wiremesh or cord and having its ends secured to hooks or catches 4:1. The hooks 41 may comprise cylindrical members having notches 42 on their inner sides adapted to engage around the bearing ears 18 on the member 16 to be held in place by means of the clasping-member 25 in the manner as later explained.

The method of assembling the present improved device and applying it to use is as next explained: The end of the bracelet section 5 is placed upon the plate portion of the base-member 16 between its side-flanges 20 and soldered or otherwise permanently joined thereto. The clasping-member 25 is next hingedly attached to the end of the member 16 by placing its bearing 26 between the bearing ears 18' and inserting the hinge-pin 19 through the alining holes, after which the in is headed over at its ends. The deviceis t ien ready for use for attaching the end of the bracelet to the wrist-watch in the manner as next explained.

One of the sides or legs of the end-link 10 is inserted through the end-loop 3 of the watch in the manner shown in Fig. 3, and the link brought around to the position illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 5. The open end of the link 10 is secured to the fastening-device 15 by looping it over the end of the claspmember 25 so that the narrowed portions 13 of its sides straddle the hinge-ears 18 on the base-member 16. The hooked end-portions or abutments 11 on the legs of the link 10 are thus engaged behind the ed es of the ears 18 as shown at the right inFig. 2. It will be detent-notches 21 in the flanges 20, see Fig. 1 5. The parts of the fastening-device are thus securely clasped together with the open end of the connecting-link 10 held securely therein.

When in clasped relationship the fastening-device afiords a very eificient means for joining the connecting-link to the bracelet.

The detent-means for the clasp makes for security to prevent accidental or unwarranted unfastening and possible loss of the watch and bracelet.

The braceletsections 5 are attached to the ends of the watch in the manner as above explained, and may be connected in any suitable manner to provide a continuous band for encircling the wrist. As previously stated, the opposite ends of the band are usually provided with an extension-device or foldover which acts to draw the bracelet snugly about the wrist of the wearer to hold the watch in place thereon. To release the bracelet the extension device is unlocked and unfolded to permit expansion in the length of the band to allow it to he slipped over the hand. The present improved connecter, having once been secured to the watch needs no further attention on the part of the wearer. If, however, it is desired to remove the watch from the bracelet for cleaning, repairing or any other purpose, the fastening-device is unclasped by lifting the member 25 upwardly away from the member 16. This is accom.

plished by inserting the finger-nail under the lip or projection 30 on the member 25 and raising the latter to the position shown in Fig. 4. The connecting-link 10 may then be disconnected from the fastening-device by slipping it ofi over the end of the member 25.

With the use of connecting-links 10 constructed in accordance with the forms shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9, the method of their application to use is the same as before explained. The three dlfierent types of end-links illustrated in theseviews provide for spreading.

the legs of the links apart to adapt them to be passed through end-loops of considerable width and ,thickness, for instance, through double loops such as illustrated in Fig. 9. The flexible form loop as illustrated in Fig. 9 conforms to the style of the bracelet when the latter is constructed of mesh material.

It will be observed from the foregoing that the present invention provides a particularly simple connector for attaching straps,bands, bracelets or the like to the ends of wristwatches or for similar purposes. .The connecter is strong and durable in use and is be suitably embossed, engraved or otherwise embellished on their outer faces to enhance the ornamental appearance of the bracelet in which it is incorporated.

When in closed relationship, the parts of the olasping-device are securely fastened by the improved detent-means which acts to effectively lock the members together to guard against loss of the watch from the wrist.

While I have herein shown and described several preferred embodiments of the device, it is to be understood that further modifications may be made in thestructure and arrangement of its parts without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, without limiting myself in this respect, I claim:

1. Ina connecter for wrist-watch bracelets, bands and linkages, the combination of a fastening-device adapted for permanent attachment to the end of the bracelet or the like, an open-ended connecting-link having means releasably engagin the fastening-device, and manually opera le clasping-means I r hinged to the fastening-device to adapt it to 40' be closed thereagainst to releaseably hold the open end of the connecting-link in place therein. v p

2. In a connecter for,wrist-watch bracelets,

bands and linkages, the combination of a fastening-device adapted for permanent attachment to the end of the bracelet or the like, an open connecting-link for insertion through a loop on the watch, said connecting-link-having means engageable with the fastening-device, a hingedmember on the fastening-device adapted to be closed down thereagainstto secure the connecting-link in engagement therewith, and releasable detentmeans for retaining the hinged member in closed position.

3.In a device of the type specified, the combination of a fastening-device for permanent attachment to the end of .a bracelet, chain or linkage, an open-ended loop-like connecting-link having means at its opening for engaging a portion of the fastening-device, and a clasp-member hinged to the fastening-device to adapt it to close, down thereagainst to retain the connecting-link in engagement therewith and to be swung into vided with upstanding ears thereon, a claspmemberhinged tothe ears on the base-member to adapt it to close down th-ereagainst,

and an open-ended loop-like connecting-link having means at its open end engageable with the ears on the base-member and held in place by the clasp-member to provide a releasable connection between the parts.

5. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a fastening-device comprising a base-member having upstanding ears at one end,.a clasp-member hinged to said ears to adapt it to close down against the base-member, said base-member and claspmember having cooperating detents to secure them in clasped relationship, and an openended loop-like connecting-link having portions at its open end engageable with the ears on the base-member and held in place by the clasp-member.

6. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a base-member, a clasp-member hinged to said base-member to adapt it to ,close thereagainst, detent-means for retaining the clasp-member in closed relation with respect to the base-member, and a connecting-link having hinged legs provided with means at their endsifor engaging the base-member and held in place by the closing of the clasp-member thereagainst. r

7. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a base-member adapted. for attachment to the end of a bracelet or linkage, a clasp-member hinged to said basemember to adapt it to close down-thereagainst, detent-means adapted to snap into engagement to maintain said members in closed'relationship, and a flexible open-ended loop-like connecting-link having means at its openend for engagement with the base-member and held in connection therewith by the clasp-member.

8. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a base-member having upstanding hinge-ears and flanges at its sides formed with detent-notches, a clasp-member pivoted to the hinge-ears on the base-member and provided with detent-elements engageable with the notches in the flanges thereof,

and an open-ended loop-like link having means at its open end for engagement with the hinge-ears on the base-member and adapted to be held in place by the closing of the clasp-member'thereagainst.

9. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a base-member adapted for attachment to the end of a bracelet or linkage and provided with upstanding hingeears and flanges at its sides, an open-ended looplike connecting-link having its open end formed with means adapted to be inserted between the side flanges on the base-member in hooked engagement with the hinge-ears thereof, and a clas -member pivoted to the 5 hinge-ears on the ase-member to adapt it to close down against the base-member to hold the end of the connecting-link detachv ably connected therewith.

10. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a base-member having upstanding hinge-ears at one end and sideflanges at its opposite end formed with detent-notehes,' an open-ended loop-like connecting-link having hooks at its open end adapted to engage the edges of the hinge-ears on the base-member, and a clasp-member pivoted to the hinge-ears on the base-member and having detents engageabie with the notches in the side flanges of the base-memher when said clasp-member is closed down thereagainst.

11. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a base-member having a relatively flat bottom-plate with a narrowed ex' tension at one end provided with upstanding hinge-ears and side-flanges at its opposite end formed with detent-notches in their 7 edges, an open-ended loop-like connecting link having its legs provided with notches engageable with the edges of the hinge-ears, and a clasp-member ivoted to the hinge-ears to adapt-it to close own against the ends of the connecting-link and provided with detent-means,engageable with the notches in the flanges of the base-member to releasably secure it in clasped relation therewith.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

CHARLES H. KESTENMAN. 

